now, merrill newman is 85 and from palo alto. he has been held in north korea since late october when he visited there on a private tour. authorities took him off a plane and detained him and held him for weeks. he is a korean war veteran and weeks ago he offered an apology for his actions in the war. some believe that apology was coerced. but citing the apology and his old age, they decided to deport him. on his way home, he briefly spoke to reporters at the beijing airport. >> i'm glad to be on my way home. >> how do you feel now? >> i feel great. i feel good. >> what do you want to do first thing? >> first thing, what would you like to do. >> go home and see my wife. >> reporter: perhaps coincidentally his release comes at the same time that joe biden was visiting south korea abut the vice president insists that visit had nothing to do with his release. we hope to speak with him and bring you what he has to say coming up on the kron 4 news at 8:00 tonight. >> let's get you caught up on the top store eve the day, that of course